A Recipe for Early Spring

A came across this recipe some 15 years ago. It isn’t my own, but I am sad to say the website where it originated has disappeared. Nevertheless, I wanted to share this recipe as one of my first posts on this blog.

I make this cake every year, usually a few times. I find it appropriate to use in celebrations of the coming spring, whether as offering or part of a feast. The texture and taste bring to mind the slow warming of the sun, even when frost still touches the ground in the morning.

I use the term cake loosely. It’s really more of a sweet bread than a traditional cake. It’s very easy to make in that it doesn’t require a lot of fancy ingredients or equipment. I like it topped with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Waking Earth Cake

1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup molasses

1/2 cup hot water

Preheat over to 375º F

Combine flours and baking soda in large bowl, stir in vegetable oil and 1/2 cup molasses. Reserve 1 cup of this mixture and set aside.